A long-planned project to build an enclosed pedestrian bridge over Washington Boulevard linking the Gateway Harbor Point office development to the Stamford train station will begin this weekend.

To finish the $2.8 million bridge in just three weekends, the state Department of Transportation will shut down Washington Boulevard between South State Street and Station Place for the next three weekends and divert drivers. The closures will be from 9 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday on the weekends of March 28, April 4 and April 11.

The 190-foot-long, 10-foot-wide bridge that will run 40 feet above the roadway is the first part of a series of planned improvements at and around the station. The project to add pedestrian amenities is a joint effort between the city, state and Gateway's developer, Stamford-based Building and Land Technology.

BLT general counsel John Freeman said the bridge will provide a link over the congested boulevard and make the station more accessible for South End residents and nearby corporate offices.

"The new bridge separates pedestrians from automobile traffic, which has two beneficial effects for Stamford: improving safety and quality of life for commuters, and reducing traffic congestion," Freeman said.

In December 2011, the city received a $10.5 million federal grant toward the overall work, after the city, state and BLT allocated $23.3 million as their shares.

Stamford interim Economic Development Director Robin Stein said the city will continue to monitor the developments around the train station to be sure they don't conflict.

"We want to make sure that whatever happens works with overall improvements to the station and making Station Place a more functional plaza." Stein said. "We want to make sure that whatever is done now doesn't preclude improvements in the future."

The current train station parking garage, on state property across the street from the station, is slated for a $500 million redevelopment that would include a hotel and retail space.

The state is also considering other improvements to be paid for from the pool of funds, including extending a pedestrian overpass at the west end of the station near Atlantic Street to provide access to all four platforms and building shelters at the western ends of the center platforms.

During the shutdowns, drivers north of the station can travel east or west on Tresser Boulevard and take any of the north-south running streets west of Washington Boulevard to get south of Interstate 95 and to the south side of the station.

Drivers on East Main Street can use Myrtle Avenue to continue east onto Jefferson Street and the Dock Street Connector to the station.

Northbound drivers on Washington Boulevard can turn right on Henry Street and then left onto Atlantic Street to the west side of the station.

Joseph McGee, vice president of public policy for the Fairfield County Business Council, said with the current station redevelopment plans and other construction already in the pipeline for the South End, state and city need a coordinated plan for improvements to the station.

"With a new administration in city hall, it is very important that they get a chance to review everything," McGee said. "The city has a responsibility for the total area and we really want to understand the impact of changes."